Question: Can you explain what the lines on the highways and streets indicate? I feel like a lot of people can’t figure it out. Thanks.
Answer: Pavement markings direct and regulate traffic.
White lines separate lanes of traffic traveling in the same direction.
•White dashes: You can change lanes where this marking is present.
•Shorter and thicker white dashes: The lane is ending.
•Solid white line: You should not change lanes. Solid white lines also mark crosswalks, stop lines at intersections, parking stalls and the edges of a roadway.
•Double solid white lines: You must not change lanes.
•Solid white line with bicycle insignia: This area is for bicycle or electric-assist bicycle traffic only.
•If you are on a bicycle, you must travel in the same direction as adjacent traffic.
Yellow lines separate traffic moving in opposite directions.
•Solid yellow line: You must not pass. Passing in a no-passing zone is illegal.
•Yellow dashes: You may pass.
•Mixed lines (solid and dashes): A solid yellow line may appear on one side of the roadway while a line of dashes appears on the other side. You must obey the marking in your lane of traffic.
•Double solid yellow lines: You must not pass, regardless of which side of the line you are driving.
You can avoid a ticket — and a crash — if you simply buckle up, drive at safe speeds, pay attention and of course, drive sober. Help us drive Minnesota Toward Zero Deaths.
If you have any questions concerning traffic-related laws or issues in Minnesota send your questions to Sgt. Troy Christianson – Minnesota State Patrol at 2900 48th Street NW, Rochester MN 55901-5848. (Or reach him at, Troy.Christianson@state.mn.us)
